30,000 Kenyan Workers Fuel UAE Economic Success, Says Mudavadi

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi affirmed the critical role of the Kenyan diaspora in the UAE during the recent 53rd UAE National Day celebrations held in Nairobi.

Notably, he revealed that approximately 30,000 Kenyans currently reside and work in the UAE, a trend facilitated by a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Kenya and the UAE in 2018. This agreement has catalyzed increased labour migration, significantly contributing to both nations’ economies. Mudavadi, also serving as the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, articulated the indispensable contributions of the Kenyan workers, highlighting their remittances and knowledge transfer as vital to Kenya’s development while simultaneously addressing labour demands in the UAE and the broader Middle East.

Emphasizing the depth of bilateral relations, he noted that the UAE ranks as Kenya’s sixth-largest trading partner, with trade volume climbing from Sh 142.5 billion in 2013 to Sh 460 billion by 2023. The trade dynamics are characterized by Kenyan exports, including tea, meat, fruits, vegetables, and flowers, against a backdrop of UAE imports primarily consisting of petroleum products, polymers, and telecommunications equipment. Mudavadi further identified Kenya’s strategic focus on the UAE as an essential export market, utilizing it as a gateway to Eastern and Central Africa.

This approach aims to establish Kenya as a trade hub, linking larger markets such as the East African Community (EAC), COMESA, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which together encompass over 1.4 billion people. The ongoing negotiations for the Kenya-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (UAEK-CEPA) were also highlighted. Once completed, this agreement is poised to advance trade and investment opportunities, aligning with Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda. Additionally, Mudavadi announced the forthcoming resumption of Etihad Airways flights, enhancing connectivity between the two countries.

He reflected on Kenya’s diplomatic history with the UAE, marking 60 years since their partnership began in 1982. In the context of sustainability and climate change, Mudavadi reiterated President William Ruto’s advocacy for a just energy transition, commending the UAE for its leadership in renewable energy initiatives. He praised the UAE’s role in hosting the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and its collaboration with Kenya on the Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA) launched at the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi.

This commitment to sustainability is further manifested in Kenya’s green investment aspirations, which were notably showcased during a recent investor roadshow in the UAE. Mudavadi further acknowledged the valuable contributions of private sector entities, including the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in strengthening economic relations between the two nations.